Beverage dispenser



Nov. ll, 1941. H. R. PERLlcK 2,262,043

' BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Feb. 2o, 1959 Patented Nov. 11, 1941 BEVERAGE DISPENSER Hilbert R. Perlick, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to R.. Perlick Brass Com corporation of Wisco pany, Milwaukee, Wis., a nsin Application February 20, 1939, Serial No. 257,430

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in beer dispensing equipment, and refers particularly to direct draw dispensers in which the beverage is cooled while in its keg or container, and the dispensing faucet is connected with the keg by a relatively short conduit.

Dispensers of this character are now generally built in the form of cabinets adapted to be refrigerated either mechanically or by the use of ice, and have faucets mounted in any suitable manner, preferably on the upper portion thereof, which faucets are connected through conduits with the kegs contained in the cabinet.

Heretofore, no adequate provision was made for keeping the beverage cold throughout the entire extent of its passage to the faucet, and as some part of the beverage is at all times in the faucet and the adjacent portion of the conduit connecting it with the keg, it \is desirable that means be provided for maintaining the conduit cold throughoutits entire extent.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a practical manner of supporting or mounting the faucet so that the conduit leading thereto is kept at the same temperature throughout its entire length.

Another object of this invention is .to provide a dispensing head or faucet support which is so designed as to project above the top of the dispensing cabinet or bar, not only to enhance the appearance of the dispensing unit but also -to facilitatethe disposition of glasses under the faucet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispensing head which is exposed to view above the top of the cabinet or bar and which has means for keeping the conduit cool throughout its entire length, and, in addition, is so designed as to permit ready access to the conduit for cleaning purposes.` f

A further object of this invention is to/provide a4 dispensing head of the character described which mounts on top of a bar or dispensing cabinet and has its hollow interior directly communicated with the interior of the cabinet so that the conduit which rises upwardly therethrough for connection with the faucet is kept at the same temperature throughout its entire length.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dispensing head of the character described which is mounted on and forms a unit with the tap rod which is insertable down through a hole in the top wall of the cabinet and into a keg positioned therebeneath.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein-disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates two complete examples of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with vthe best modes so far devised for the practical application of the which:

Figure 1 is a view showing the back of a dispensing cabinet equipped with the dispensing unit of this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the dispensing head; and

Figure 3 is a View similar to Figure 2, illustrating a modified form of dispensing head.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 5 designates a cabinet of the type generally employed in direct draw dispensing of beer, and which, as is customary, is adapted to be refrigerated either mechanically or by the use of ice, and into which one or more kegs 6 may be set.

The top wall 'I of the stitute the surface of a through through which principles thereof, and in cabinet, which may conbar, has a hole 8 therea tap rod 9 projects. The lower end of the tap rod, as is customary, enters the keg 6 through a tap IIJ, the tap being provided with the customary check valve (not shown) to permit the introduction of gas under pressure from any suitable source through a hose II.

Mounted on the upper end portion of the tap rod and forming a unit therewith is a dispensing head, indicated generally by the numeral I2. This head forms a support or standard for a faucet I3 and is of hollow or tubular construction to enable cold air from the inside of the cabinet to come in contact with the upper end of the tap rod.

Specifically, the head I2 consists of a tube I4 of a size to t into the hole 8 and form substantially a continuation thereof, and an outer cylindrical shell I5 encircling the tube in spaced relation thereto. The lower end of the outer shell is closed by a plug I6 which serves as a spacer between the tube and the shell, and the upper end of the shell extends above the top of the tube, as shown.

The tube Il is joined to the tap rod 9 by spiderlike spacer arms I1 and I3. the former being located at the lower end of the tube AM and the latter at the upperend thereof.

The spacers I8 connect with and may be a part of an elbow I9 which provides a connection between the faucet I3 and the upper end of the tap rod 9. This elbow has a tapped opening in line with the tap rod, which is normally closed by a plug 2|, and which, upon removal allows the insertion of cleaning instrumentalities into the tap rod.

The space between the tube Il and the outer shell is filled with a suitable insulating material 22, such as rock wool, which insulating material also preferably surrounds the elbow I9. In this manner, objectionable heat transfer from the cold interior of the tube I4 is reduced to a minimum, and, as will be readily apparent, the inside of the tube being communicated with the cabinet interior. has substantially the same temperature as prevails in the cabinet. Consequently, substantially the entire path of the beverage is kept at the desired cold temperature.

Access is afforded to the plug 2I by removing a cover 23 which closes the open top of the outer shell, and which preferably includes a pad of insulating material 24.

While the introduction of the lower end of the tube I4 into the hole 8 may be relied upon to properly center the dispensing head, it is desirable to provide a flange 25 which is fixed to the top wall 'l of the cabinet and which receives the lower end of the shell I5. Friction means 26 provides a snug grip between the flange 25 and the shell I5.Y

In the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 3, the dispensing head is permanently mounted on the top wall 1 of the cabinet, for in this construction, the conduit 21 which connects the faucet I3 with the keg is flexible so that the tapping of the keg may be done before the keg is placed in the cabinet.

However, as in the embodiment already described, the dispensing head comprises the same tube Il which extends down into the hole in the top wall of the cabinet and the outer shell I5- encircling the tube in spaced relation thereto. The lower end of the shell I5 is secured to the top of the cabinet by a flange 28, and its open upper end is closed by a removable cover 23 similar to that employed in the other construction.

The specific manner in which the connection is established between the faucet and the flexible conduit 21 is different from that employed in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and comprises a coupling 29 adapted to be threaded onto a nipple 30 fixed to the faucet. 4

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be readily apparent that this invention provides a substantial improvement in beer dispensing equipment by maintaining the entire conduit leading from the keg to the faucet at the desired cool temperature, by enhancing the appearance of the dispensing head, and facilitating use thereof.

What I claim as my invention is:

` faucet support rigid.

`1. A direct draw beer dispenser of the character described comprising: a refrigerated cabinet adapted to hold a keg of beer and having a. hole through the top wall thereof; a tap rod projectible from above said wall through the hole and into a keg in the cabinet; a dispenser head Joined to the upper end of the tap rod to be movable therewith, said dispenser head comprising, a tube encircling the upper end of the, tap rod, said tube being of a size to form substantially a continuation of the hole in the cabinet wall so as to enable cold air to enter the tube from the interior of the cabinet around the upper end of the tap rod; an outer shell encircling the tube in spaced relation thereto; a spacer between the tube and the outer` shell enclosing the bottom of the outer shell; a faucet mounted on and projecting from the side of the outer shell near its upper end; a rigid connection between the faucet and the tap rod; and means for centering the dispenser head with the hole in said wall of the cabinet.

2. A direct draw beer dispenser of the character described comprising: a refrigerated cabinet adapted to hold a keg of beer and having a hole through a top wall thereof; a tap rod prcjectible from above said wall through the hole and into a keg in the cabinet; a dispenser head joined to the upper end of thetap rod to be movable therewith, said dispenser head comprising, a tube encircling the upper end of the tap rod, said tube being of a size to form substantially a continuation of the hole in the cabinet wall so as to enable cold air to enter the tube from the interior of the cabinet around the upper end of the tap rod; an outer shell encircling the tube in spaced relation thereto; a spacer between the tube and the outer shell enclosing the bottom of the ,outer shell; a faucet mounted on and projecting from the side of the outer shell near its upper end; a rigid connection between the faucet and the tap rod; means for centering the dispenser head with the hole in said wall of the cabinet; and a removable cover for the top of the outer shell providing access to the connection between the faucet and tap rod.

3. In a beverage dispenser, the combination of: a floor type cabinet having a substantially horizontal supporting wall spaced from the oor, said wall having a hole therethrough, the space between the wall and the floor accommodating a beverage container; a tap rod projectible from above the wall through the hole and into a container positioned in said space beneath the wall; a faucet support permanently attached to the upper end of the tap rod and including an outer shell encircling the upper end portion of the tap rod in spaced relation thereto so as to project, above said supporting wall; a faucet mounted on the shell and projecting laterally therefrom; a connection between the faucet and the upper end of the tap rod inside the shell; insulating material inside the shell to keep the beverage flowing through the upper end portion of the tap rod cool; and means on the faucet support engageable in the hole in the supporting wall for holding the HILBERT R. PERLICK. 

